SB18-112 Summary

• Creates the Veterans Outdoor Terrain Restoration and Recreation Mental Health Grant Program within the Division of Veterans Affairs to provide funding to nonprofit and for-profit organizations offering outdoor restoration and recreation activities for Colorado veterans.

• Eligible activities include forest restoration, backpacking, camping, fishing, rock climbing, beetle kill restoration, skydiving, skiing, trail restoration, and whitewater rafting, but exclude employment duties, court-ordered community service, spectator events, and most all-terrain/off-highway vehicle recreation.

• Requires the Adjutant General to adopt program administration rules by January 1, 2019, including eligibility criteria, mandatory insurance requirements for funded organizations, and application procedures.

• Establishes a dedicated cash fund consisting of legislative appropriations and gifts/grants/donations to support program operations, with administrative expenses limited to 5 percent of annual appropriations.

• Requires the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to include annual reporting on grants awarded and how funded activities directly relate to veterans' mental health and well-being.